If you’re like many Talent Management Administrators, you’re so focused on day-to-day operations and addressing employee requests that branding your platform gets lower priority.
But incorporating branding elements into your Talent Management System not only aligns the platform with the visual look-and-feel of your organization’s identity, it also drives awareness for the new processes you have put into place.
Subtle techniques like adding an infographic or a customized banner can make the difference between users understanding a specific step and struggling to complete a required task. Below are five branding elements to consider adding to your Talent Management System.
1. Banner Header
The first thing users notice when they log into your system is the top of the page. Make your system stand out from the beginning by creating a custom banner header. You can incorporate your company colors, add a call-to-action message, and include a relevant image. Depending on the platform that you use, you can leverage the banner header for your welcome page, your performance review page, and even your offer letters. The text in your banner can change depending on the time of year. For example, if you have an annual performance review coming up, you can include the deadline date in your banner so employees know when to submit their performance reviews or peer reviews.
2. Call-to-action (CTA) Icons
In many instances, employees need additional support or have additional questions that are not addressed on a specific page. To direct employees to the right resources, include branded icons that link users to support resources. Especially for new hires, having resources that can help guide employees on how to get started with their learning curriculum or their first performance review cycle, for example, may reduce the administrative burden that Talent Management Admins experience from answering user questions.
Here are three examples of support icons you can include:
- Contact Us icon that redirects to an email address where employees can send their questions
- Video icon that links to a tutorial that walks users through how to complete a specific task in the platform
- Additional Resources icon that links users to external training that is relevant to the specific talent management task they are completing
3. Infographic
There are many instances where an infographic, a visual representation of data or information, can convey important information pertaining to tasks or company initiatives in your Talent Management System. Rather than listing company benefits in text, design an infographic to highlight the most important benefits that prospective employees will receive when they join your company, i.e., annual leave, healthcare, pension contribution, etc. You can also create an infographic to explain the annual performance review cycle and timeline with employees. Infographics are effective because they present information in an engaging and easily digestible manner. Don’t have design skills? No problem. There are many free platforms that you can leverage to create infographics. They have hundreds of free templates available. Remember to incorporate your company colors and designs in each infographic.
4. Templates
Many HR professionals overlook the fact that they can customize the look and feel of many areas of their Talent Management System that tend to be standardized. For example, Cornerstone’s platform gives organizations the ability to design compensation statement templates that are provided to employees.
Here are a few ways to optimize standard compensation statements:
- Incorporate your company logo and colors in the text
- Draw attention to key details by highlighting or bolding the total salary and total bonus number awarded to individuals
- Provide visibility by including a customized breakdown of how each of these numbers is calculated
- Under the bonus section, you can include a bonus target and a bonus attained percentage
- Under the base salary, include the old salary, the increase amount, the increase percentage, and the cost of living increase adjustment.
5. Email Communications
Don’t let important reminders and automated alerts go ignored in an employee’s inbox. Incorporate your branded elements above (banners, icons, etc.) into the automated email triggers that employees receive directly from your Talent Management System. Consistency is key here. If you used a specific banner for your performance management page, include that same image in any performance management-related emails.
Branding is an essential part of your Talent Management System, and if executed properly, it will not go unnoticed by users. Complete an audit of your current Talent Management System and identify areas where you can incorporate branding elements. Don’t forget to coordinate with your Marketing team to align the creative with your company’s brand standards. The use of consistent, targeted branding elements will ensure your Talent Management System is a recognized tool in your organization.
